Miss Potter - 2006

I love a story that brings out the "I" word: IMAGINATION. It is basically a biopic film about children's author and illustrator, Beatrix Potter. It combines stories from her own interesting life with animated sequences featuring characters from her stories, such as Peter Rabbit.


The film was director Chris Noonan's first in 10 years (since he made Babe), having waited for many years until he finally found a script that inspired him. Cate Blanchett, who originally suggested Noonan for the role of director, was at one point set to star at the film but apologetically left the project when one of her other films was green-lit before this one.


Actress Renee Zellweger ended up becoming an executive producer on the film because she was dis-satisfied with the script and wanted to get more involved. The film was first brought to Ewan McGregor's attention by Zellweger, who had kept in contact with him after collaborating on "Down with Love". McGregor described the film as having a somewhat similar appeal as that film, and noted that he was familiar with Beatrix Potter's illustrations and stories, which he said he reads to his children. To prepare for the role, McGregor studied photographs of Norman Warne and visited the modern-day Warne publishing house. Zellweger read actual letters between Beatrix Potter and Norman Warne and Millie to prepare for the role, but had difficulty with the accent, which she said was very different from Bridget Jones'. As there were no records of Beatrix Potter’s speaking voice, they had to guess; ultimately the voice was softened so as not to irritate contemporary audiences with the tight, high voice a woman of Beatrix Potter's standing at that time may have had. Zellweger said that she had read a few of Beatrix Potter's stories growing up, but that she had never known anything about the woman herself.

Vitus - 2006

Sometimes it's not always about the film but the "music"! I stumbled upon a postcard for this film in New York City. I never saw it in a theater but I saved the postcard and finally watched the film. I was pleasantly surprised. There is something so inpsiring about a child prodigy.


This dramatic film (written and directed by Fredi M. Murer) was released on February 2, 2006, in Switzerland. It stars real-life piano prodigy Teo Gheorghiu.


Vitus, played by Teo Gheorghiu, is a highly gifted pianist at the age of twelve. His parents mean well, but are over-protective, so Vitus seeks refuge with his grandfather (actor, Bruno Ganz), who loves flying. After faking a head injury, Vitus secretly amasses a fortune on the stock market. The money allows his grandfather to purchase a Pilatus PC-6 and his father to return triumphantly to the company that had fired him previously. The movie ends with Vitus performing Robert Schumann's Piano Concerto on stage with the Zurich Chamber Orchestra.

Apocalypto - 2006

The opening quote by historical author Will Durant says it all:  "A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within."

It only took me five years to finally see this suspenseful action film directed by Mel Gibson.   What happens to a society that thinks it is unstoppable and becomes hungry for power?   The answer is here.  In Greek, "Apocalypto" means unveiling and a new beginning.

The story takes place on the cusp of the Mayan civilization decline.  It's a most thrilling film with such fantastic detail.  There are a few squeamish and violent scenes but you can just "blink" if it gets to be too much.   The vast jungle scenes and cinematography make this worth seeing again and again.  There is a touch of sentimental humanity in this story.  The story depicts the journey of a MesoAmerican tribesman who must escape human sacrifice and rescue his family after the capture and destruction of his village.  The film features a cast of Mexicans and some Native Americans. 

A Yucatec Maya dialogue (which offers all the more authenticity for this historical film) is accompanied by subtitles.  Mel Gibson explains: "I think hearing a different language allows the audience to completely suspend their own reality and get drawn into the world of the film. And more importantly, this also puts the emphasis on the cinematic visuals, which are a kind of universal language of the heart."

Apocalypto was filmed mainly in Catemaco, San Andres Tustla, and Paso de Ovejas in the Mexican state of Veracruz.   The waterfall scene was filmed on a real waterfall called Salto de Eyipantla, located in San Andres Tuxtla.